VIDEO: Danalevi Powerboats owner talks about launching his company

Posted on May 1st, 2014

Ross Hartman once owned a construction business. He’s still a builder, but now the Massachusetts native builds powerboats.

Hartman is the president and designer of Danalevi Powerboats and he spent a decade and $700,000 developing the Furina, a 22-foot Volvo Penta-powered, retro-styled runabout that is the Belchertown, Mass., builder’s first model.

The $150,000 Furina made its first major show appearance last fall at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

“There’s a ton of unique and really high-quality brands, but I think we’re just different,” Hartman said. “I don’t see anything out there with the styling that we have. If you look at the windshield and the side billets — those are inspired by 1920s and ’30s hood emblems on old retro cars.”

He touts the Furina’s handling and the performance of its 380-hp Volvo V-8. “It has great acceleration and throws you back in the seat,” he said.

The boat is outfitted with Garmin’s Glass Cockpit system and a Fusion stereo. Hartman considers the Furina a lake and coastal boat and also wants to market it as a yacht tender.

“It’s very exciting to be able to get out there and drive it,” he said. “It’s exhilarating.”